The serpin Spn5 is essential for wing expansion in Drosophila melanogaster.
Serpins, a superfamily of protease inhibitors, control proteolytic cascades in many physiological processes. Genomic studies have revealed the presence of a high number of serpin-encoding genes in Drosophila melanogaster, but their functions remain largely unknown. In a biochemical screen designed to detect protease inhibitors that may be implicated in early Drosophila development, we identified in embryos a ligand that forms a 67 kDa SDS-stable complex with the broad spectrum protease trypsin. Characterization of this ligand revealed it to be the recently described serpin, Spn5. Expression analysis by in situ and Northern blot hybridization indicated maternal transmission of the transcript as well as zygotic expression in many larval, pupal and adult tissues. Targeted repression by RNA interference did not alter early embryogenesis but resulted in a complete defect in the unfolding and expansion of the wings of freshly eclosed mutant flies, without other detectable effects on development.
Charron
Yves
Y
Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Madani
Rime
R
Combepine
Chantal
C
Gajdosik
Vincent
V
Hwu
Yeukuang
Y
Margaritondo
Giorgio
G
Vassalli
Jean-Dominique
JD
D000818:Animals; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010957:Plasmids; D034622:RNA Interference; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D014921:Wings, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D015843:Serpins; C534384:Spn88Ea protein, Drosophila